Viral Infections

Description

A viral infection is any type of infection caused by a virus. A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that reproduces within cells. A virus can be as mild as the common flu, and as severe as HIV.

Symptoms

Symptoms of viral infections vary, but typically consist of fever, aches, chills, and fatigue. Virus-specific symptoms also exist. For example, the chilly virus usually produces mucous in the nasal area and neck, the mononucleosis virus creates severe exhaustion and, sometimes, liver enhancement, and the Polio virus creates paralysis. Signs and symptoms can be persistent or short-lived, depending on the type of virus, and the individual’s immune system. In some cases, such as HIV, viral infections can be life-threatening.

Types

There are hundreds of viral infections, such as cold and flu, herpes viruses, and HIV etc. Medical professionals can effectively control symptoms after they determine which virus is affecting your system.

Causes

Viruses are naturally occurring microorganisms. They most commonly enter your system through respiratory routes and bodily fluids, such as blood and semen. After they enter the body, infectious virus’s multiply on their own and often spread among people in close groups such as families or co-workers. Sneezing, touching germ infested surfaces, and consuming infected foods are some of the other typical ways viruses travel from one individual to another.

Be aware: Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics.

Natural Cures

Diet: Eat an organic, whole-foods diet, with plenty of fresh, raw, steamed vegetables including onions and garlic. Drink plenty of filtered water and avoid all processed foods, sugars, unhealthy fat, alcohol, soda, commercial fruit juices, milk, and dairy products.

Herbs: Echinacea, goldenseal, astragalus cayenne, and ginger root are all helpful in speeding viral infection recovery times.

Homeopathy: Useful homeopathic remedies include calendula, chamomile, belladonna, mercurius solubilis, and sulfur.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of applying water, ice, steam and alternating cold and hot temperatures to restore health. Treatments include total body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation, and the application of warm and cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-treatment program. Many professionals including naturopathic physicians, physical therapists and day spas use Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment routines. We suggest trying several at home hydrotherapy remedies. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these treatments to ensure they are right for you. *Purified water is essential in any Hydrotherapy remedy. Remedies involving purifying bath water offer clear instructions and remedies.

Juice Therapy: Garlic clove mixed with celery, and beet juice is and excellent immune boost.
Nutritional Supplementation: Ascorbic acid, taken in therapeutic does of 500 – 5,000 mg, is effective in treating viral infections. Other suggested nutrients are vitamin A, carotene, vitamin B complex, panothenic acid, garlic capsules, zinc oxide, proteolytic enzymes taken between meals, acidophilus bacteria, raw thymus glandular, lysine, cysteine, olive leaf extract, and quercetin.

Alternative Professional Care

If your symptoms continue to persist, seek the assistance of a competent health professional. The following professional treatments are useful for healing viral infections: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Detoxification Treatment, Environmental Treatments, Energy Medicine , Molecule Therapy, Permanent Magnetic Field Treatment, Naturopathic Treatments, and Oxygen Therapy. (See Glossary for an explanation of these optional therapies.)